Chapter 13 - Thomas's Confession
Thomas did not run.
He sat down.
"I was there," he said.
August closed the study doors.
"Start talking."
Thomas rubbed both hands over his face.
"Richard called me because he didn't trust his own driver. He said he'd found records tying Victoria to stolen foundation money."
Victoria scoffed.
Thomas ignored her.
"When I got to the marina, Richard and Victoria were arguing. Marcus was there too."
"Marcus?" August asked.
"He was young then. Worked in accounting."
"Richard threatened to go to Henry. Victoria told him he would lose everything."
"What happened?"
"Richard boarded the boat. Marcus followed. I heard a struggle."
Elsie squeezed August's hand.
Thomas continued.
"Richard fell. Hit his head on the rail. He was alive."
August's voice was barely audible. "And?"
"Victoria told Marcus not to call for help."
Nora covered her mouth.
"Marcus panicked. Victoria cut the boat loose."
August looked at her.
Victoria's composure finally cracked.
"It was an accident."
"Leaving him there wasn't."
"He was going to destroy us."
"Us?"
She stopped.
August heard the confession inside the word.
Thomas looked down.
"I should have gone to police."
"Why didn't you?"
"Victoria showed me photographs of my son buying drugs. She said she'd make sure he went to prison."
August had known Thomas's son died from an overdose years later.
"And Caroline?" August asked.
"She found me six years ago. I told her everything."
Victoria stared at Thomas with naked hatred.
Mason's phone rang.
He answered, listened, then looked at August.
"The medical examiner finished Marcus's autopsy."
August waited.
"It wasn't a heart attack."
Victoria slowly sat down.
"What was it?"
"Poisoning."
No one spoke.
Mason continued.
"Same uncommon cardiac toxin was found in a preserved blood sample from Richard Cole."
August looked at Victoria.
Her lips parted.
Then Elsie said, "Mom had medicine that made her heart hurt."
August crouched.
"What medicine?"
"A little bottle. She said a doctor gave it to her."
May you like
Elsie's voice shook.
"It came in a package with Grandma Victoria's handwriting."
